Conveying means for shoe manufacture



2 Sheets-Sheet 1 B. T. GIALDINI CONVEYING MEANS FOR SHOE MANUFACTUREFeb. l, 1949.

Filed sept. 2. 1944 INVENTOR.

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Feb. 1, 1949. B. T. GIALDINI CONVEYING MEANS FOR SHOE MANUFACTURE 2Sheetsf-Sheet 2 Filed Sept 28, 1944 @l 9g f www INVENTOR.

`the time spent in pushing racks Patented Feb. l, 1949 UNITED STATI-:sPATENT OFFICE CONVEYING MEANS FOR SHOE MANUFACTURE Bruno T. Gialdini,Larchmont, N. Y. Application September 28, 1944, Serial No. 556,188

12 Claims.

`1 invention relates to means for facilitating and coordinating thevarious operations to be performed in the manufacture of shoes.

Reference is made to Patent 2,114,486 issued April 19, 1938, in my name.Prior to the date of the application for that patent, it had been theusual practice to locate the various machines for shoe manufacture alongwindowed walls while thecentral part of the factory floor space isoccupicd by shoe racks. The shoes in various stages of completion werehandled on these large wheeled racks, holding 72 pairs or multiplesthereof.

For many operations, the time spent in taking shoes from diierent levelsof the racks and transferring them to the machine and back again was asgreat as the time spent in actual operations upon the shoes. The rackswere incapable of presenting all of the shoes in positions of convenientaccess so that the operator will have a short reach. The rising,stepping and stooping which the operator had to do was fatiguing part ofhis days work.

It was usually the duty of each operator iinishing his operation on allof the shoes in his rack to wheel the rack to the next operator. A verysubstantial amount of time was lost by each operator both intransferring successive lots of shoes to the next operator, and inwaiting for shoes from preceding operators. The slowest operation servedto hold back all other operations in point of time. The incomplete shoeswere, of course, on lasts, and the number of lasts required becameexcessive by reason of the conditions just mentioned.

A rack containing a large number of pairs of shoes reduces the timespent in pushing" racks; but it increases the quantity of shoe materialin process and the quantity of lasts required. Moreover, with a rackholding 'l2 pairs, the operator must hold up operations on '711/2 pairswhile working on one shoe. The problem is not solved by diminishing thecapacity of the racks because about on the factory iioor is increased.

In my Patent 2,114,486, I disclosed means and a method for increasingthe ease, speed and economy of shoe, manufacture. The means comprised anelongated'chain conveyor carrying pins on which the lasts could beplaced. The various machines and operations were correlated with eachother along or near the path of the elongated conveyor. The conveyormoved slowly enough so that eachv workman could perform his vparticularoperation on a shoe as it reached him, removfound to be the most ingthey shoe and its last from the pin on the conveyor as that might berequired. But the conveyor not only supplied each workman with shoes onlasts, but also delivered his product. to the next workman, thus savinghis time. Also, by reason of the correlation, the number of lastsrequired was very greatly cut down.

The aforesaid patent among its teachings includes a statement of anexemplary arrangement of operators and operationsv in the making ofshoes in a certain way. This sequence of operations may be followed withthe means of the present invention, but is regarded by me as exemplaryonly and not as limiting.

Objects of the present invention include the` provision of improvementsin means for handling and conveying shoes in such manner as both tocorrelate and facilitate operations thereon.

It is an objectof this invention to simplify and lower both the initialcost and the maintenance cost of conveying and correlating equipment.

It is an object of this invention to provide a new means for handlingshoes on lasts for facilitating and improving operations thereon.

It is an object of this invention to provide an improved andsemi-automatic means for the return of handling equipment and lasts.

It is an object of this invention to provide greater flexibility in thehandling of shoes through a series of correlated operations.

It is an objectof this invention to provide drying means, the operationof which does not involve the waste of time in a correlated series ofoperations.

These and other objects of my invention which will be set forthhereinafter or will be apparent to one skilled in the art upon readingthese speci# cations, I accomplish by that construction and arrangementof parts and in that procedure, of

,which I shall now describe an exemplary embodiment. Reference is madeto the drawings wherein:

Figure 1 is an elevational view with parts in section of conveying anddrying apparatus constructed in accordance with my invention.

Figure 2 is a partial sectional view taken through the conveyingapparatus of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is an end elevation of the drying equipment with the conveyorpartially shown in section. l

Figure 4 is an isometric view-of one of my pans. Generally, in thepractice of my invention, I provide an dependent upon the availablefactory space and the number of operations), along which thesevelongated conveyor (the length being along on the conveyor, and theyare designed tov hold units of shoes for convenient operation. The

pans and conveyor are so designed that rst, the

conveyor is under the control of any operator located along its length.Second, any pan can bec stopped and held stationary on the conveyor inspite of the continued movement of the conveyor and of preceding pans.Third, any pan can be bodily removed from the conveyor at any time orreplaced thereon. Some of the operations are of such character that theymay be performed 'pon the lasts while the lasts are on the pans andwhilethe pans are cn the conveyor; and the structure of the conveyor is suchas to withstand the necessary pressure of such operations, includinghand tacking. But for such operations, the movement of the lasts may bearrested as aforesaid. Where a particular operation requires the removalof a last from the conveyor and its transfer, for example, to anadjacent machine, this is facilitated by the removal of the pans whichcontain chosen groups of lasts appropriate for the purpose.

Where a particular hand or machine operation requires longer timethan'others in the correlation, it is merely necessary to multiply thenumber of machines or operators to equalize the eective speed of theoperation with others. .The pans hold relatively few lasts and arerelatively light in weight so that they may easily be handled by theoperators.

A drier, as hereinafter described, may be located intermediate thelength of the conveyor. The pans are transferred to carriers in thedrier and then re-transferred to the conveyor` after they have passedautomatically through a prearranged drying cycle. The drying operationdoes not, therefore, hold up other operations.

At the exit end of the conveyor, the finished shoes are removed from thelasts and the pans and lasts are returned by conveying means to theentering end of the conveyor where they may be immediately reused inoperations in the same manufacturing cycle.

Referring to Figure 1, I have shown mounted above a floor i a longhorizontal conveyor, a side rail of which is indicated at 2. Thisconveyor is supported above the iioor by supports or legs, generallymarked 3. As indicated, the conveyor will be of a length appropriate tothe available oor space and to the number of shoe manufacturingoperations to be correlated along its length.' The main conveyorcomprises a horizontal series of aligned rollers 4 mounted between`suitable side rails'. These rollers are driven.- A convenient way ofaccomplishing this is through the use of an endless belt 5, passing overpulleys 6 and 1 at the two ends of the frame. In its upper flight, thebelt underlies the rollers 4 and is supported at intervals by otherrollers, 8, so spaced, as shown, as to deect the belt slightly upwardlybetween adjacent rollers 4 to assist in maintaining the belt in contactwith the rollers 4. The under or return flight of the belt will `besupported as may be required by rolls 9 at the positions of the legs 3,or by rolls mounted in depending brackets Iii fastened to the main rails2 between the supports. Ay belt tightening arrangement, not shown, ispreferably employed and may be mounted to move the bearings of thepulley4 1 on the bracket-like sup- 4 ports which I have shown, The shaftof the pulley 6 is extendedv beyond its bearings and is' provided with asprocket connectlble to the sprocket I2 of a gear reducer I3. Th1s,inturn,

' mounted by means of roller is connected with a source Vof power suchas an electric motor, not shown, preferably through a speed change meansor variable drive so that the speed of the conveyor can be accuratelymade to correspond with the time required for the various shoe-makingoperations.

Beneath the main conveyor, I have illustrated rail means I4 supportingthe rolls I5 of a roller conveyor located aslant so as to haveaconveying function determined by gravity.

This conveyor structure may take a variety of forms. One way of makingit is shown in Figure 2 where the legs `3 are shown supporting the railsI4 between which are mounted the rolls I5 of the gravity conveyor. Anupright I6 is attached to the right-hand one of the angle iron rails I4and, in turn, supports an inverted angle member I1. An upright I8 isattached to thc other rail I4 but is bent so as to extend outwardly andthen inwardly again to give clearance at onel side of the gravityconveyor I4-I5 for the extending toe portions of lasts mounted uponpans. A portion I8a of the upright I8 parallels the depending leg of theangle member I1, and between these two parts, I mount both a roller I9for the return or underight of the belt 5 and a roller 8, the Purpose ofwhich has already been set forth. The upper end of the member I8 is bentover outwardly, as at I8b, to support the horizontal leg of one ofthemain conveyor rails 2, while the other ofthe main conveyor rails 2 ismounted as shown on the upper horizontal leg of the 'angle member I1.The roller 4 is mounted between the rails 2.

Since some operations may be performed on the shoes while they aresupported by the conveyor, the rollers 4 should be satisfactorilysturdy. A variety of constructions is possible. An illus- .tratedexample includes a central shaft 2B mounted in and extending between therails 2. The body of the roll 4 is a hollow metallic cylinder, asindicated at 4a; and at its ends it is bearings 2| upon the shaft 20'. Acollar 22 is mounted on the shaft .at each end between the rollerbearings and the rails. All illustrated rollers may, if desired, havethe same construction.

The rails I4 extend somewhat above the upper surface of the rolls I5,while the rails 2 similarly extend above the surface of the rolls 4. The

" rails, therefore, can serve additionally as guides for the pan memberswhich carry assemblies of lasts and shoes. These pans are sheet metalmembers, one form of which is shown in Figure 2. A base vor bottom forriding upon the rolls 4 is shown at 23v and 23a. At the side edges ofthe structure, the metal is bent up, as at 24, and the upper edges ofthe bent-up portions may be reinforced and strengthened by being turnedover, as illustrated. In this form of pan. the

metal intermediate its width is bent upwardly, as at 25 and 26, andacross aslant, as at 21, to produce-al-longitudinal upstanding ridge orcorrugation, the top surface of which is disposed at an angle to thehorizontal. A series of pins, 28, is mounted to project upwardly fromthe top surface of the ridge and are suitably fastened thereto. This maybe done in a variety of ways, as'by riveting or the like; but aconvenient mode of attachment comprises the use of headed pins and thevwelding of the head to-the underside may be provided on the porti-on 21as are required to hold the lasts of a desired work group of shoes. Ihave shown in Figure 4 a pan having eight pins to accept eight lasts;but it will be understood vthat fewer or more may be employed. It isimportant, however, that the pan be so constructed that it may be liftedbodily from the conveyor, together with its shoes and lasts for thetransfer of the work to operations which cannot be performed directlyupon the conveyor. The pansl therefore, should not be so large or soheavy as to be inconvenient for one operator to lift and carry. Withinthis limitation, the number of lasts per pan can be worked out inaccordance with the requirements of any given manufacturing operation.

Considerable modification may be made in the construction of the pans,and I have shown yet another construction at `3l) in Figure 3.` Thelasts themselves have been indicated in Figures 2 and 3 at 3l, and thepurpose of the inclination of the top surface 21 ofthe ridge member ofthe pans is to present the lasts to the operators in a convenientposition for the various operations. The distance between the upturnedside portions 24 of the pans is, of course, somewhat less than thedistance between Athe side rails 2 of the upper conveyor or the siderails I4 of the lower conveyor; and these side rails serve as guides tokeep the pans on the conveyor. Y Any pan, can, however, be brought torest by any operator manually or otherwise. The rolls 4 will continue toturn beneath it but without too great friction.

VZin Figures 1 and 3, I have shown drying means comprising a verticalhousing 32 and an overhead horizontal housing 33 connected with it.

A pair of chains 34 and 35, one at either side of the housing, pass oversprockets 36 on a shaft 31 at the lower end of the vertical casingportion. 'I'he shaft 31 extends through the housing, and is providedwith a sprocket 38 which may be connected by a chain 33 to the sprocket40 of a gear reducer or the like, 4|, which in turn is powered by amotor or other prime mover. At the top of the vertical housing portion32, as shown in Figure 3, the chains pass over sprockets 42 and 43,passing horizontally through portions of the horizontal housing 33 andreturning in an upper flight over sprockets 44 and 45 near the ends ofthe horizontal casing. The horizontal portions of the casing may besuspended from above by rods 46, Passing between the chains 34 and 35and--attached to them at intervals are shafts 41, from which aresuspended hanger-like members 48 of triangular shape. The lower ends ofthese members are bent horizontally inwardly, as at 43, and are designedto serve as supports for the pans. A pan is shown in place on thesesupports at 50 in Figure l.

The chains are guided in their several flights by channel-shaped railmembers, shown at 5l and 52 in Figure 3. The hangers 48 are free torotate on the shaft 41 under the influence of gravity, as will be clear.The front portion of the vertical housing 32 is open, as shown in Figure1, for a convenient height above the main conveyor. An inspectionwindow, 53, may also be provided if desired. An air heating orconditioning unit, which may include means for solvent recovery, isindicated diagrammatically at 54, connected by conduits and 56 to thecasing of the drier.

VWhen a pan containing shoes at a stage of manufacture requiring dryingreaches an operator stationed at the drier, he lifts the pan from theconveyor and places it on the hangers 48-49 of the drying conveyor. Itthen proceeds automatically through the various paths traversed bychains within the casing of the drier, iinally returning to the point atwhich it was placed thereon. The operator can then return it to theconveyor. It will be understood that in normal operations, all of the lin the drier, will be filled withpans holding shoes or lasts. The dryingcyclemay consume whatever time is required for proper drying; but thisis not time taken from the general manufacturing operation because pansof driedfshoes may be returned to the conveyor as rapidly as pans ofshoes requiring drying are removed therefrom by the operator.

In the use of my apparatus, itis contemplated that a series ofoperations will be performed` on shoes which may include al1 of theoperations to be performed thereon as respects lasting,'drying andsimilar operations. The last travel with the pans, but can individuallybe removed therefrom if necessary. The pans themselves contain groups oflasts and shoesof a convenient size for operations eitheron the conveyoror on machines or benches adjacent thereto, so that as respects theconveyor at least, it is neither necessary to remove and handleindividual lasts and shoes. which is time-consuming, or to handle largegroups of shoes, which is likely to delay a manufacturing program. Anypan may be stopped for individual operations at any position on theconveyor or removed therefrom. Furthermore.

the conveyor itself is designed to be under the control at all times ofall operators, or at least of all key operators in the program. This isaccomplished by providing switches, one of which is indicated at' 51 inFigure 3, at all key stations. These switches may be connected in seriesand to the electric motor driving the conveyor so that all switches mustbe closed before the conveyor can move. Any operator is thus in aposition to stop the movement ofthe conveyor at any time; and theconveyor cannot be started so long as any operator has his switch open.At the end of the conveyor, the shoes may be removed from the lasts byan operator stationed there who then will return the pans and lasts tothe starting position by placing them upon the gravity conveyor I4-I5.

Modifications may be made in my invention without departing from thespirit of it.

, Having thus described my` invention, what I claim as new and desire tosecure by Letters Patent is;

1. In a device for the purpose described, an elongated rectangularsupporting member with a central, longitudinal raised portion having 'aplurality of upstanding spaced pins on said raised portion to accept aplurality of'shoe lasts, side edge portions of said supporting memberextending sumciently beyond said central raised portion to providefreedom from a tendency to tilt.

2. A member for holdinga work unit of shoe hangers, or many of themlasts, said member being formed of sheet metal bent to provide a baseportion, upstanding side ridges. and an upstanding intermediate ridge,said last mentioned ridge bearing a plurality of pins for accepting shoelasts.

3. A member for holding a work unit of shoe lasts, said member beingformed of sheet metal normal to the plane of said upper surface.

4. A member for `holding a work unit of shoe lasts, said member beingformed of sheet metal bent to provide a base portion, upstanding sideridges, and an upstanding intermediate ridge,

donev thereon without stopping said conveyor, said conveyor having sideguide means and being of a width substantially the same as the width ofsaid shoe last supporting means.

7. In means for the purpose described, an elongated conveyor withrespect to which a plurality of shoe fabricating operations may belocated and correlated, and a series of shoe last supporting memberstransportable on said` conveyor, each of said members having anelongated base with a central longitudinal raised portion and aplurality of upstanding pins on said raised portion to accept aplurality of shoe lasts, side edge portions of said baseextendingsuiiiciently beyond said central raised portion to providefreedom from a tendency to tilt, said shoe last supporting members beingof a shape and size to hold groups said last mentioned ridge bearing aplurality of 'pins for accepting shoe lasts, said upstanding ridgehaving an upper surface aslant to the plane of said base, said pinsbeing positioned substantially normal tothe plane of said upper surface,said member being of a size and weight, together with lasts and shoes,for lifting and transportation by a single operator.

5. In means for the purpose described, an elongated conveyor withrespect to which a plurality of shoe fabricating operations may belocated and correlated, and a series of shoe last supporting memberstransportable on said conveyor, each of said members having an elongatedbase with a central longitudinal raised portion and a plurality ofupstanding pins on said raised portion to accepta plurality of shoelasts, side edge portions of said base extending suiciently beyond saidcentral raised portion to provide freedom from a tendency to tilt, saidshoe last supporting 'members being of a shape and size to hold groupsof lasts constituting convenient work units and being readily removablefrom said conveyor by a single operator, said conveyor having drivenpropulsion means including means capable of resisting the downwardthrust and impact of work performed on shoe elements on said lasts Whileon s aid shoe last supporting means, and said propulsion elements havingfrictional driving contact only with'said shoe last supporting meanslwhereby said shoe last supporting means may be stopped on said conveyorto permit work to be done thereon without stopping said conveyor.

6. In means for the purpose described, an elongated conveyor withrespect to which a plurality of shoe fabricating operations may belocated and correlated, and a series of shoe last supporting memberstransportable on said conveyor, each of said members having an elongatedbase with a central longitudinal raised portion and a plurality ofupstanding pins on said raised portion to accept a plurality of shoelasts, side edge portions -of jsaid base extending sufciently beyond'said central raised portion to provide freedom from a tendency to tilt,said shoe last supporting members being of a shape and size to holdgroups `oi lasts constituting convenient work units and ,being readilyremovable from said conveyor by a. single operator, said conveyor havingdriven propulsion means including means capable of yrej sisting thedownward thrust and impact of work performed on shoe elements on saidlasts while on said shoe last supporting means, and said propulsionelements having frictional driving contact only with said` shoe lastsupporting means whereby said shoe last supporting means may be "stoppedon said conveyor to permit'work to be of lasts constitutingI convenientwork units and being readily removable from said conveyorby a singleoperator, said conveyor having driven provby said shoe last supportingmeans may be l'stopped on said conveyor to permit work to be donethereon without stopping said conveyor, said conveyor having side guidemeans and being of a. width substantially the same as the width of saidshoe last supporting means, there being along the length of saidconveyor a plurality of control means any one of which is eii'ective tostop said conveyor.

8. In means for the purpose described, an elongated conveyor withrespect to winch a plurality of shoe fabricating operations may belocated and correlated,` and a series of shoe last supporting memberstransportable on said conveyor, each of said members having an elongatedbase with a central longitudinal raised portion and a plurality ofupstanding pins on said raised portion to accept a plurality of shoelasts, side edge portions of said base extending suiiiciently beyondsaid central raised portion to provide freedom' from a tendency to tilt,said shoe last supporting members being of a shape and size to holdgroups of lasts constituting convenient work units and being readilyremovable fromsaidconveyor by a single operator, said conveyor havingdriven propulsion means including means capable of resisting thedownward thrust and impact of work performed on shoe elements on saidlasts while on said shoe last supporting means, and said propulsionelements having frictional driving contact only with said shoe last'supporting means whereby said shoe last supporting means may be stoppedon said conveyor to permit work to be done thereonwithout stopping saidconveyor, said conveyor Ihaving side guide means and being of a widthysubstantially the same as the width of said shoelast supporting means,`there beingy along the length of said conveyor a plurality .of controlmeans any one of which is effective to stop said conveyor, said conveyorcomprising as the driven `propulsion means a horizontal series ofvsupporting rotatable rollers, an endless belt having an upper. flightcontacting the under sides of said rollers, and means for maintainingsaid belt in contact with said rollers, there being power meanseffective to move said belt. l y

9. In means for the vpurpose described, an elongated conveyor withrespect to which a p1u- `Ilma-11S,

operations maybe lolast supporting members transportable on saidconveyor, each of said members having an elongated base with a centrallongitudinal raised portion and a plurality of upstanding pins on saidraised portion to accept a plurality of shoe lasts, side edge portionsof said base extending sufficiently beyond said central raised portionto provide freedom from a tendency\to tilt, said shoe last supportingmembers being of a shape and size to hold groups of lasts constitutingconvenient work units and being readily removable from said conveyor bya single operator, said conveyor having driven propulsion meansincluding means capable of resisting the downward thrust and impact ofwork performed on shoe elements on said lasts while on said shoe lastsupporting means, and said propulsion elements having frictional drivingcontact only with said shoe last supporting means whereby said shoe lastsupporting means may be stopped on said conveyor to permit work to bedone thereon without stopping said conveyor, said conveyor having sideguide means and being of a width substantially the same as the width ofsaid shoe last sup-4 said rollers, there being power means effective tomove said belt, and a second conveyor beneath said first mentionedconveyor and adapted to return said shoe last supporting members in theopposite direction, said last mentioned conveyor being a gravityconveyor aslant tothe horizontal and having a series of supportingrolls.

11. In means for the purpose described, an elongated conveyor withrespect to which a plurality of shoe fabricating operations may belocated and correlated, and a series of shoe last supporting memberstransportable on said conl veyor, each of said members having anelongated base with a central longitudinal raised portioni and aplurality of upstanding pins on said raised portiontoaccept a pluralityof shoe lasts, side edge portions of said base extending sufcientlybeyond 'said central raised portion to provide freedom from` a tendencyto tilt, said shoe last supporting members being of -a shape and size tohold groups of lasts constituting convenient work units and beingreadily removable from said con veyor by a single operator, saidconveyor having driven propulsion means including means capable ofresisting the downward thrust and impact of i work performed `on shoeelements on said lasts porting means, there being along the length ofsaid conveyor a plurality of control means any one of which is eiectiveto stop said conveyor, said conveyor comprising as the driven propulsionmeans a horizontal series of supporting rotatable rollers, anendlessbelt having an upper flight contacting the under sides of saidrollers, and means for maintaining said belt in contact with saidrollers, there being power means effective to move said belt, and asecond conveyor beneath said first mentioned conveyor and adapted toreturn said shoe last supporting members in the opposite direction.

10. In means for the purpose described, an elongated conveyor withrespect to which a plurality of shoe fabricating operations may belocated and correlated, and a series of shoe last y an endless belthaving an supporting members transportable on said conveyor, each ofsaid members having an elongated base with a central longitudinal raisedportion and a plurality of upstanding pins on said raised portion toaccept a plurality of shoe lasts, side edge portions of said baseextending sufficiently Abeyond said central raised portion to providefreedom from a tendency to tilt, said shoe last supporting members beingof a shape and size to hold groups of lasts constituting convenient workunits and being readily removable from said conveyor by a singleoperator, said conveyor having driven propulsion means including meanscapable of resisting the downward thrust and impact of work performed onshoe elements on said lasts while on said shoe last supporting and saidpropulsion elements having frictional driving contact only with saidshoe last supporting means whereby said shoe last supporting means maybe stopped on said conveyor 4 while on said shoe last supporting means,and said propulsion elements having frictional driving contact only withsaid shoe last supporting means whereby said shoe last supporting meansmay be stopped on said conveyor to permit work to be done thereonwithout stopping said conveyor, said conveyor having side guide meansand being of a width substantially the same as the width of said shoelast supporting means,

there being along the length of said conveyor a plurality of controlmeans any one of which is effective to stop said conveyor, said conveyorcomprising as the driven propulsion means a horizontal series ofsupporting rotatable rollers,

upper flight contacting the under sides of said rollers, and means formaintaining said belt in contact with said rollers, there being powermeans effective to move said belt, and a second conveyor beneath saidfirst mentioned conveyor and adapted to return said shoe last supportingmembers in the opposite direction, said last mentioned conveyor being agravity conveyor aslant to the horizontal and having a series ofsupporting rolls, and a drying means located intermediate the length ofsaid conveyor, and comprising a casing, supporting means for acceptingsaid shoe last supporting members, and means for moving the saidIsupporting members continuously within said casing in a predeterminedpath of travel.

12. In a conveyor structure spaced rails mounted upon supports, aplurality of rollers journaled between said rails in a horizontal seriesso that the rails extend above the upper surfaces of said rollers toform guides, an endless belt passing beneath said rollers and contactingthem in its upper flight, roller means for keeping said belt in contactwith said rst mentioned rollers, roller means for supporting the lowerflight of said belt, another pair of rails located on said supportsbeneath said first mentioned rails, and a series of rollers mountedbetween said last mentioned rails, said last mentioned rails disposedaslant to the horizontal between said supports so as to constitute saidlast mentioned series of rolls a gravity conveyor, in combination with aseries of elongated metal pans dimensioned widthwise to lie between saidrails on said first and last mentioned l1 bearing pins for theacceptance of shoe lasts, said pans being movable in one direction bysaid rst mentioned rolls when driven by said beit and returnable in theother direction by said gravity conveyor, said rst mentioned rollsserving to support said pans to permit work to be done in shoe elementssupported by said lasts.

BRUNO T. GIALDINI.

file of this patent: 4

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